Palestinians recall four European ambassadors over US embassy move

Palestine has recalled its ambassadors to four European countries to protest their participation in an event celebrating the opening of the new US embassy in the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that its ambassadors to Romania, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria were being called home for consultations.

The Palestinians said they consider the participation a "grave violation of international law."

The European Union objected to the embassy move. But the four European states criticized by the Palestinians broke with the 28-nation bloc’s policy to attend the celebration.

The Palestinians have strongly objected to the move of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied holy city.

Palestine earlier withdrew its top representative to the United States, one day after Washington moves its embassy to Jerusalem al-Quds.

According to a statement released by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization's office in Washington, Husam Zomlot, would be leaving the US on Wednesday.

Tensions are also running high also Israeli forces killed at least 62 Palestinians during protests near the Gaza fence on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the Nakba Day (the Day of Catastrophe), which coincided this year with Washington’s embassy relocation.

More than 2,700 Palestinians were also wounded as the Israeli forces used snipers, airstrikes, tank fire and tear gas to target the demonstrators.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour has slammed the killing of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as war crimes.

"Of course, this massacre is taking place at the same time when the United States of America illegally and unilaterally and in a provocative way is opening its embassy," he said While addressing a UNSC meeting.

The occupied territories have witnessed new tensions ever since US President Donald Trump on December 6, 2017 announced US recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s “capital” and said Washington would move US embassy to the city.

The dramatic decision triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories as well as Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Morocco and other Muslim countries.

The status of Jerusalem al-Quds is the thorniest issue in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.